ALMA — Alma College has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s top transfer-friendly institutions, earning a place on the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) 2026 Transfer Honor Roll. The designation recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn bachelor’s degrees.

This year, 275 four-year colleges and universities nationwide received the distinction, including only seven Michigan Institutions, among only three of which are private. Alma College’s inclusion marks the fifth consecutive year the institution has earned national recognition for its commitment to transfer student success.

We’re proud to be recognized by Phi Theta Kappa for our commitment to making the transfer process as smooth and student friendly as possible, said Doug Freed, vice president for enrollment management, marketingand communications. Students who choose Alma can expect straightforward transfer experience, generous scholarship opportunities and a commitment to helping them maximize the credits they’ve already earned. We understand that transfer students want to continue their academic journey without losing momentum, and our focus is on removing barriers, providing individualized support and helping them quickly feel at home as members of the Alma College community.

The PTK Transfer Honor Roll is one of the nation’s most comprehensive recognitions of transfer excellence. Institutions are evaluated using data from the National Student Clearinghouse as well as information collected through PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa’s online platform that connects high-achieving community college students with transfer opportunities at four-year institutions.

Rather than focusing on a single measure, the Honor Roll evaluates how well institutions support transfer students from admission through graduation. Colleges and universities are assessed across five dimensions proven to influence transfer success:

• Transfer student success outcomes

• Credit mobility and degree applicability

• Financial support for transfer students

• Recruitment and admissions practices

• Campus engagement and support for transfer students

Institutions that complete a PTK Connect institutional profile receive a Transfer Friendliness Rating, with the Honor Roll recognizing the top-performing institutions based on this comprehensive evaluation.

Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive, said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.

The 2026 Honor Roll institutions demonstrated strong outcomes across several measures of transfer success. On average, recognized institutions reported that transfer students make up 56 percent of their undergraduate populations, 77 percent of transfer students complete bachelor’s degrees, 88 percent of transferred credits apply toward degree requirements, and 76 percent of transfer students receive merit-based financial aid.

Alma College has made transfer student success a strategic priority through dedicated transfer scholarships, streamlined admission pathways and personalized support services. Transfer students are eligible for the same transformational opportunities available to all Alma students, including Alma Venture grants that fund internships, undergraduate research and study-away experiences. Alma also remains the only college in Michigan to offer a commitment designed to help students graduate on time.

After transferring to Alma College, Aiden Shapiro, of Clawson, Michigan, found the supportive and welcoming community he had been searching for. I attended a four-year university and didn’t really find what I was looking for there, he said. I had some friends who played lacrosse at Alma and really enjoyed it, so I decided to transfer here, and I’m glad I made that decision. Alma has supported me a lot in making sure that I felt welcomed here.

More than 1,100 colleges and universities completed PTK’s institutional profile process this year, allowing students to compare transfer opportunities while helping institutions benchmark their transfer practices against peers nationwide.

Recognition matters because it shines a light on what works, said Heather Yush, senior director of college relations for Phi Theta Kappa. When colleges are recognized for transfer excellence, they create powerful examples that inspire other institutions to strengthen their own transfer pathways. Ultimately, that means more students earn the bachelor’s degrees they set out to achieve.